John Geraghty
Ken Werth
President Emeriti
Bob “Willie” Williams
Bill Kastens
Vice-President
Ruth Geraghty
President
1829 Kathleen Ct.
Secretary /Treasurer
1824 SW Village Dr.
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
18 E 37th St.
Topeka, KS 66604
Phone: 757-479-2733
Bayonne, NJ 07002.
Phone: 785-272-2604
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 201-339-5155
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
DIRECTORS: Warren Hopkins, Kent Thomas, Ron Orszag, Jack Chesnick
MARCH 2011 PIEDMONT NEWSLETTER
Piedmont Sailors, we finally have signed contracts for our Hotel facilities and the Bus Tours. We have added
some optional activities that will not be covered in the reunion registration fee (See Registration form). Willie
Williams has done another great job of securing all our services.
HOTEL DETAILS: Our host hotel is the Holiday Inn Select, Norfolk Airport, 1570 N. Military Hwy., Norfolk, VA
23502; telephone is 757-213-2231; Website is www.hiselect.com/norfolkva We have a room block of 40 rooms
for the nights of Oct. 12, 13, 14 & 15, so it will pay to get your room reservations in early. The daily rate is $79 +
13% tax which will be good prior and after the reunion dates if you want more time in the area. Specify you are
with the Piedmont Reunion group. At time of reservation, there will be a one night advance hotel charge which
is refundable if cancelled by 24 hours of check in time. Any room cancelled on day of arrival will be charged
one night’s room and tax. Phone direct at 757-213-2231. There is complimentary breakfast buffet (2 vouchers
per room) and free auto & RV parking. Also, there is complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport and
to nearest Light Rail station which provides transportation to a wide area. HOTEL ROOM RESERVATION
DEADLINE IS SEPT. 15, 2011. If you have special dietary needs or ADA needs, please specify at time of
reservation.
BUS TOURS: The Thursday, Oct. 13, tour will be from 8 AM-5 PM (loading time is 15 minutes prior to start) and
will visit the Shirley Plantation which was settled in 1613. There are 18th century brick buildings with Queen Ann
architecture. This was the home of Anne Hill Carter, mother of General Robert E. Lee. Lunch is at Charles City
Tavern, followed by a visit to the Yorktown Visitors Center (film of Battle at Yorktown-British surrendered to
Gen. George Washington. Visit the Mariner’s Museum, largest and most comprehensive maritime history
museum in the world and now home of USS Monitor Exhibit.
The Friday, Oct. 14, tour will be from 8:30 AM-4 PM, allowing us time for our Business meeting in the Hospitality
Room upon our return. This tour will include the Norfolk Naval Station (must have photo ID) homeport to 78
ships, largest Naval installation in the world. Then a riding tour of Virginia Beach. See lighthouses and the
landing at Cape Henry where English colonies first came ashore in 1607. Lunch at Lynnhaven Fish House on
Chesapeake Bay. Then the Military Aviation Museum at Virginia Beach Airport, one of the largest collections of
WW II and Korean era airplanes. Finally, a stop at Doumars, home of the world’s first ice cream cone machine,
first used at the Jamestown Exposition in 1907. Abe Doumar created the first ice cream cone at the 1904 St.
Louis World’s Fair and their cones are still baked in this machine. You will be treated to an ice cream cone at
this stop.
HOSPITALITY ROOM: We have exclusive use of Concourse A/B where registration will open at noon on Wed.
Oct. 12 and all our meals and meetings will be in this room. There is seating for 100 at all times. There will be a
dinner served here on Wed. evening from 5:30-10 PM and on Sat. night we will have the annual banquet. Jack
and Marge Chesnick along with Willie and Aslaug Williams will see that we have a well stocked snack and drink
counter. The Hotel staff will provide the wine, beer, and House brands for $3 each similar to the Atlanta
situation. There will be space for Piedmont mementos as well as gifts to be raffled for our fund raiser.
NOW FOR SOME “SAILOR” NEWS that has come from Ruth Geraghty or was sent to me.
Ruth Geraghty is very thankful for all the kind thoughts and messages during her recent illness. She says she
is back on the road to recovery. Thank you Ruth for all your service to our Association.
Bob Minick’s wife Eileen died in Mesa, AZ on Feb. 6, 2011. She had been ill for last 2 years but was able to
attend the reunion Banquet night in Phoenix in Oct. 2009. Our sympathies to Bob and family.
Lou Vann (Supply Off., 72-73), died January 24, 2011 in Pt. Hueneme, CA. He and Lennie were last with us in
Phoenix in 2009.
Ed Friesen, Casper, WY, SK 46-49, was on an Honor Flight from Wyoming with 143 other WW II veterans to
Washington, DC in Sept. 2010. It was a great experience to visit all the memorials. He and Gloria have been
unable to attend recent reunions because of health issues.
Louis Lacava, Youngstown, OH, SFP 56-57, died April 30, 2010. His wife Marie asked to be left on our roster and
mailing list.
Jim Devlin, Midwest City, OK, MM 63-66, died from cancer complications Nov. 27, 2010.
John Schone, Eau Claire, WI, SOM Plank sailor 43-45, sent a letter describing his duties aboard Piedmont and
later all the years as a missionary minister in Japan. We were able to share that with the e-mail sailors. Thank
you, John, for all your years of service.
Bill Walters, Forest Park, GA, S 45-46, writes that he hopes to attend the Norfolk Reunion although as of now he
is confined to a wheel chair due to foot and leg surgery.
Richard Hufford, Dana Point, CA, EM 49-53, says he is recovering from recent surgeries a month apart. We wish
him a speedy recovery.
Vernon Runyan, Arlington, TX, Supply 48-53. sent a copy of the General Mess “Bill of Fare” on Piedmont for
week of 27 March, 1950. Sure brought back memories, mostly pleasant, of what our daily ration consisted of.
Thanks, Chief.
Kyle Waites, LaGrange, GA, ET 55-57, has had aortic valve replacement but is doing very well. Has not been to
a reunion because he goes to his college games and they seem to be on weekend of reunion.
Del Black, Wellington, CO, MR 51-55, has had heart surgery, 2 bypasses and a new valve and is doing well.
RECENT CHANGES TO OUR MEMBER ROSTER:
Glen Allen, Vernal, UT, has new e-mail [email protected]
Ralph Ashton, York, PA, has new e-mail [email protected]
Gordon Bargas & Mimi, 17774 Pecan Shadows Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Richard Hall—Delete
Salvador Hiponia--Delete
Jim Jordan & Betty, 201 S. 33rd St., Apt. 410, Muskogee, OK 74401
Bob Leyfert, new e-mail address [email protected]
Ken Mattes, 708-424-6522
Neil Matthewson—Delete
Ray Montminy--Delete
Bob Morse, Orange Park, FL SKC—Delete e-mail address
John Robbins & Claire—correct zip code to 98445
William Schleifer & Roxie have new e-mail [email protected]
Jack Scott--Delete
James T. Smith, 1029 Center Stone Lane, Riviera Beach, FL 33404
Robert Swanson—Delete
Kyle Waites, correct e-mail address to [email protected]
Donald Weise--Delete
NOW HERE ARE DETAILS FOR THE ELIZABETH RIVER DINNER CRUISE that Willie Williams has looked into.
Based on the response to my e-mail notice there should be sufficient interest to do a group party. In October
they go out only on Friday and Saturday so we are stuck with having to schedule it for Friday evening, Oct. 14.
This will cause us to do the normal raffle gifts on Thursday evening so that after the Friday Business Meeting
we can prepare to arrive at the loading dock by 7 PM. Willie is working on Hotel shuttle service for those not
having a car. Departure time is 7:30 until 10:30. The total package at $63.74 per person includes buffet meals
with many offerings, DJ and dancing, and coffee, tea, and iced tea. Causal attire but no t-shirts, jeans or tennis
shoes. The only additional tipping would be for the bar drinks as you purchase them. Interior decks, there are
3 decks, are climate controlled. We need to make a final contract early in September so all fees will be due by
Sept. 5, 2011, to Ruth Geraghty. We will list this cost on the registration sheet. SEE THEIR WEBSITE
www.entertainmentcruises.com for ship pictures, etc. Click on Norfolk under select city, upper right hand.
Monica and I hope to see many of you in Norfolk in October.
Bill Kastens, President
USS Piedmont Reunion Association